NJDOT to open Nesbitt Street bridge
and close Clifton Avenue bridge in Newark

(Trenton) — Commissioner Stephen Dilts today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will begin the next stage of construction on a project to replace the Clifton Avenue and Nesbitt Street bridges over the NJ TRANSIT Morristown rail line and I-280 in Newark City, Essex County.

On Friday night, December 18, NJDOT will open the newly completed Nesbitt Street bridge over the NJ TRANSIT Morristown rail line and the bridge over I-280 to traffic. Nesbitt Street has been closed between Orange Street and Eighth Avenue since March, 2009 in order to demolish the existing structure and construct the new bridges. NJDOT has also installed new sidewalks, curbs, guide-rail, fencing, landscaping, and highway lighting on Nesbitt Street. NJDOT will also reopen the ramp to I-280 eastbound from Nesbitt Street at this time.

Following the opening of Nesbitt Street to traffic, NJDOT will then close Clifton Avenue between Eight Avenue and Orange Street in order to demolish the existing structure and construct the new bridges over NJ TRANSIT and I-280. The following detours will be implemented during the Clifton Avenue closure, which will remain in place for approximately ten months:

Clifton Avenue northbound traffic will take Orange Street across Nesbitt Street to Eight Avenue back to Clifton Avenue.

Clifton Avenue southbound traffic will take I-280 westbound to Sixth Street (Exit 13) to Orange Street back to Clifton Avenue.

Clifton Avenue southbound traffic wishing to take the Clifton Avenue-Nesbitt Street ramp will be detoured to I-280 westbound to N. 6th Street southbound to Freeway Drive east to the I-280 eastbound ramp.

NJ TRANSIT will be providing a detour to the new Route 28 GO-bus service along Clifton Avenue. Please check with www.njtransit.com for information.

This $11.886 million project is replacing the Clifton Avenue and Nesbitt Street bridges over the NJ TRANSIT Morristown rail line, and replacing the bridge decks on Clifton Avenue and Nesbitt Street over I-280. The bridge approaches between Orange Street and Eighth Avenue will be upgraded on each road as well. NJDOT will upgrade the traffic signals at the intersection of Clifton Avenue and Eighth Avenue and at the entrance ramp to I-280 westbound. Lackawanna Avenue and the I-280 ramp between Clifton Avenue and Nesbit Streets will also receive safety upgrades. In addition, NJDOT will signalize the Clifton Avenue entrance ramp to I-280 eastbound to improve safety conditions and operations of the intersection.

NJDOT will maintain local access to the properties and businesses along Clifton Avenue, Lackawanna Avenue and Nesbitt Street during construction. The entire project is scheduled for completion in May 2011.

These operations are weather-dependent. NJDOT will utilize Variable Message Signs in the area to inform motorists of the closure and any further traffic pattern changes. In addition, NJDOT will post directional signs throughout the detour routes to guide motorists. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org.